W. H. ~ son of Elijah and Mary Ann (Colledge) Fesler

Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa, (Lewis Publishing Company (1887)), pp. 495-96: "W. H. FESLER, farmer and stock-raiser of Bloomington Township, where he resides on section 30, was born in Noble County, Ohio, December 25, 1844, a son of Elijah and Mary Ann (Colledge) Fesler, the father a native of Washington County, Pennsylvania, and the mother of Middlesex, England.The mother died in 1882, and the father is now living in Kansas, in good health, aged seventy-four years.They were the parents of two sons and ten daughters.The names of those yet living are -- Harriet, Sarah J., Mary M., Thersia E., Elizabeth, W. H., Andrew, Minerva, Josephine, Fidelia and Levinia.W. H. Fesler, our subject, left his native county at the age of twelve years, his parents coming to Decatur County, Iowa in 1856, and locating in High Point Township, where he grew to manhood, receiving his education principally in the common schools of Decatur County.March 4, 1866, he was united in marriage to Miss Jerusha Vanderpool, a daughter of Daniel and Tabitha Vanderpool, of Decatur County.To this union were born seven children, six still living -- William Riley, John Wesley, Elijah Newton, Julius, George Henry, Roy Irvin.A son, Charles Emett, is deceased.In 1868 Mr. Fesler bought eighty acres of well-improved land, under a high state of cultivation.He devotes considerable attention to raising, feeding and dealing in stock, in which he is meeting with good success.He has a comfortable residence, and commodious outbuildings for his stock. Politically he casts his suffrage with the Republican party.He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Kellerton Lodge.He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church."